January 4, 2007

Dion Adopts Winning Strategy…Promises Campaign on the Economy

The Liberal reaction to the cabinet shuffle was quite predictable. The Bloc called it cosmetic. I am sure Jack Layton will be outraged too.

Stephane Dion defended the Liberal record on the environment saying that in 1993, the Liberals had other priorities like fixing the mess the Tories left behind. While we’ve heard John Baird say something similar about the Liberals, the Tories cannot dispute the fact that the Liberals handled the economy very well.

If Canadians agree that the shift in the economy to a sustainable economy is a priority for our future, Liberals can honestly be trusted to move forward on that, where the Tories cannot. The NDP can do nothing but bitch. The Bloc…will block!

We still need to move forward on other issues but this major shift in campaign policy is a very welcome gesture.

15 Commentaires:

Well.. I think the fact Antonio has published a blog statement praising a Dion statement is more newsworthy then the Globe publishing in prominent display the fact Alexandre Trudeau had a baby son two week ago and named him after his late father.

The Environment is so 'yesterday'. Today the economy, tomorrow???Martin would have done the 'address Western alienation or I will have considered my term a failure' thing...followed with:Fixing healthcare for a generation and First Nations are my #1 priority..

First of all Dion has had a winning stategy fro quite some time without your help Anonio. That's why he won. Second of all, Dion will have no trouble defening his record as environment minister against the Tories, again without your help or assessment.

Liberal children booing other candidates isn't something Mr. Dion would ever have adopted as a strategy, unlike the candidate you supported who didn't win.

Here is Dion from the Toronto Star less than a week before convention.

I will put it all up. My source is the Stephane Dion Website. The site is littered with similar citations saying the opposite of "we must run on the economy".

Anyway Rob, if anything, you've proven he didnt really know what his priority was. sigh, this was the first time I've praised Dion for something and it has turned to this.

3) I will add a third pillar, environmental sustainability, to the Liberal approach. The world is beginning to realize that the planet cannot withstand the demands we ask of it. The challenge of this century will be to reconcile our need for growth with the limits of the planet. I will make that challenge a fundamental pillar of the party. We must reduce our carbon emissions, not in the distant future, but today. The energy industry is waiting for government leadership.

Last week, the CEO of Shell Canada said that investments in carbon capture and storage could give Canadian industry a competitive advantage, but energy companies are waiting for a signal from the government before pursuing the necessary technology.

The time has come to provide that signal.

A strategy for corporate Canada is not enough to address climate change.

As Liberal leader and prime minister, I would ask every Canadian to help the environment by helping themselves.

From rebates on energy-efficient appliances to tax incentives for home retrofits, I have proposed initiatives that would let an average family of four save $1,000 a year on its energy bill.

I will unite the country, by returning Canada to its sense of purpose. Our appeal to unity is strongest when we ground it in common purpose. Throughout Canada's history, Quebecers have always shared in our challenges and our triumphs - building this country, shaping its institutions, and defining its identity.

Now we face the new challenge of sustainable development. There is no question we must answer that challenge. Rather, our question to every Canadian must be, will we answer this challenge together?

Will we each lend our unique strengths, our skills and our energies, to make Canada once more a leader in the world?

Because the alternative - that we would squander our resources, our potential, on a divisive debate that improves the lives of none of our children - is indefensible. Canada is bound only by the limits of our common ambition. At this week's convention, I will ask Liberals to unite our country in the best tradition of our party - by offering Canadians something to believe in."

What approach is that Rob? You still have more credibility than Cherniak. Let's keep it that way.

You said this: I know it was all part of his three pillars but at no time during the race did he say we should run on the sustainable economy. Not once.

On that point, as I originally said, you are wrong.

Is there something ambiguous about the following exchange:

"Is the environment the main focus of your approach?"

Dion: "No. The main focus is the economy. But the economy, in order to be profitable in the 21st century must be sustainable."

Was there anything ambiguous about Dion's speech that I linked to in my first comment?

You say this now: Anyway Rob, if anything, you've proven he didnt really know what his priority was.

Wtf are you talking about? All I've proven is that you didn't pay very close attention to the substance of Dion's campaign. It's not that big of a deal; he was clearly your least favourite candidate, so I'm not surprised that you didn't give him a fair shake.

Does Dion talk about the environment? Of course. That doesn't change the fact that his main theme is always the sustainable economy.

There is no need to worry about my credibility here; you made a mistake, I pointed it out, and you pouted instead of acknowledging it.

You would have had a lot more credibility if you would have just admitted you were wrong. Stop letting your stubborness get in the way of your rationality.

Before you reply I want you to take a deep breath and contemplate the following:

1) You said that at no time during the race did Dion say we should run on the sustainable economy. Not once.

2) Now you've seen written and video evidence of Dion stating that his main focus is the sustainable economy.

Stop pouting. Everyone is wrong from time to time. It's usually best just to acknowledge it and move on.